Sealing-strap for shipping-packages.



R. G. BATOHELOR. SEALING STRAP FOR SHIPPING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED. 8BPT.9, 1909.

Patented Oct. 11,1910.

THE unRRls PETERS RAYMOND C. BATCI-IELOR, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SEALING-STRAP FOR SHIPPING-PACKAGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Application filed September 9, 1909. Serial No. 516,952.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND O. BATCH- ELOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sealing-Straps for Shipping-Packages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved sealing strap for shipping packages, such for example as boxes, crates, barrels, casks, and similar packages, containing articles of merchandise for shipment, which packages are often opened by unauthorized persons and a portion of the contents removed during transportation resulting in claims for shortage on behalf of the purchaser and causing considerable annoyance to both the shipper and the transportation company.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of sealing strap which may readily be bound around the package and which is formed of a single piece or strip of material without waste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strip of an improved construction whereby the means employed to secure it to the package will be concealed and rendered inaccessible for removal by unauthorized persons without it being apparent that the same has been tampered with.

A further object of the invention is to provide a metal sealing strap for shipping packages having a plurality or series of successive folds made therein,said folds extending beneath the exposed outer surface of the strap and secured to the package by suitable fasteners which are covered by said exposed surface of the strap.

With these and other objects in View one form or construction of strap for practically carrying out the inventive idea here involved, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a view in perspective of one form of packing case to which my improved sealing device is attached. Fig. 2, an end elevation of a case on an enlarged scale showing the strap partly secured thereto; a portion of the strap being shown in section. Fig. 3, a similar view of a case with the strap completely attached and a portion of the latter being shown in section to illustrate one form or construction of under fold, and Fig. 4c, shows a portion of the strap looking underneath and upwardly in perspective to better illustrate the construction of the under securing fold in its preferred form.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1, designates the packing case which may have any desired shape or configuration but which, in the present instance is of a rectangular form, and having the vertical end, 2; vertical longitudinal sides, 3, and horizontal top and bottom, 4:, all of which walls are constructed of a material, such as wood, that will readily receive suitable fastenings such as nails or screws.

In carrying out the invention the strap, 5, is formed preferably of a flexible material such as metal that will readily bend, and of any desired width and length. At suitable or desirable intervals this strap is provided with folds or bends, 6,to form integral attaching members, 7, which will have such a position with respect to the outer exposed surface, 8, of the strap as to be concealed or covered thereby. In the present instance these attaching members are formed by bendin portions of the strap backward and paralle with the strap, thus producing double-thick portions at such bends, then by passing securing devices, 9, through the backwardlybent members and entering them in the package, the strap will be secured at that point. The preferred manner of forming these attaching-members is to make two longitudinal slits in the strap and then make a crossslit at one end of the longitudinal slits so as to sever the metal of the strap and thereby reduce a tongue which may be bent. or folded backwardly to produce the said integrally-formed attaching members, 7.

In securing the strap to the package the strap will be bent upwardly as shown at, 10, in Fig. 2, to expose the attaching member 7 which will lie flat against the package, and the securing device, in the present instance a nail, 9, may then be driven through the said member into the package; the strap will then be bent down and drawn over the attached member to cover the latter and its securing device and will be drawn along or around the package until the next point of attachment is reached, where the operation is repeated. This is continued until the entire package is encircled by the strap and the ends, 11, of the strap are then lapped. These lapped ends of the strap, see Fig. 3, are then secured in some suitable manner and in practice I employ a tool that will insort and secure a rivet, 12, therein. It will thus be seen that the strap encircles the package and has its ends overlapped and riveted together, and that it is attached to the package at intervals by securing devices passed through the attaching members that are formed integrally with the strap and Which are covered or concealed from the outer side of the strap.

Having thus described my invention What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

A shipping package comprising a receptacle in combination With a sealing strap encircling the receptacle and having a plurality of integral folded portions at intervals 5 and the heads of said securing devices being 20 covered by the outer exposed surface of the strap.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

RAYMOND C. BATCHELOR. Witnesses:

CHARLES E. MANN, J 12, G. FERDINAND Voer. 

